New Hair for a New Year

The only request Ethan had for the second grade was a new hair cut.
The spikes and the LA Looks was all his idea.

Doesn't he look so old???

The Second Day in the Second Grade

Second grade has officially begun!
Ethan was placed in the class he wanted with several friends and the year has started off well.

What is he most excited about this year...
his new hairstyle (more to come on that later- these pictures are pre- haircut),
PE,
having a male teacher,
field trips,
math,
and running laps (a running club at school to see how many miles you can run in a year).

The forced smile.

The real Ethan... all goofy and smiles.

Our First Family Camping Adventure

A couple of weeks ago we headed to Jellystone Park and Camp "Resort".
The kids were ecstatic to begin our first camping adventure.
The place was great- there was just one problem - it rained the whole time.
Despite the rain we still had a great time and intend to go back when it is dry!

We went with three other families. Above are the kiddos! All happy and smiling on Saturday morning after a soggy night in their tents!

Yogi Bear was there is statue!

Our kids were up bright and early Saturday morning and we all headed tot he playground and took a walk around camp. Even in the rain the kids had a blast.

And, here is what they were all waiting for... Yogi in person.
Saturday morning we met Yogi for donuts, coffee, and a little dancing.
I mean, who wouldn't like to start Saturday morning dancing the chicken dance, in the rain, with Yogi Bear!

Here was our campsite. Check out all the mud!
Thanks to Mark and Emily for letting us borrow their tent. It kept us totally dry!

While the moms were packing up the kids were down playing in the creek.
We are going to try for round two of camping - but please Lord, let it be dry!

Vacation Bible School

One of the highlights of the kids summer is always VBS... singing, dancing, silly skits, games, crazy snacks, Chadder, and time away from home! Who wouldn't like that!

This year, the theme of Vacation Bible School was Pandamania- Where God is Wild About You!

Our VBS was about a month ago and I am always amazed at the awesome job our church does in putting it on. Check it out below...

Silly skits with Kung Pow and Moo Shoo.

Ethan with his best buddy Kieran. They have been in the same crew 4 years running!

Olivia dancing with her buddy, Campbell. Looks like they are doing the hand- jive!

Everybody (225 kids + crew leaders) singing and dancing.

My classroom this year. I have taught at VBS every year, and this year I was privileged to get to lead Chadder. A video about a chipmunk (named Chadder) on a mission. It is corny and grade D media - but the kids are riveted! Seriously, riveted!

Fireworks!

For the 4th we lit small (legal) fireworks off in my grandmother's yard.
We learned a thing or too about grocery store fireworks...

First, we learned all children universally love sparklers. The cheapest of fireworks is still the biggest hit.

Second, we learned that the cheap pre- packaged box of fireworks from the grocery was not really worth it. Every last thing in the cheap box was a type of smoke bomb. And, they all stunk. I mean head - ache producing need to take a shower after handling kind of stink.
See the green smoke above... our first smoking "cone" in green.

Third, it is an unwritten rule, when you are given a sparkler in the dark you must try and write your name before it goes out. I think the name above is "Ethan"... can't you tell??

Noted above and below- our fourth lesson- anything that sparks and makes noise is worth the money.

Our second attempt at a smoke "cone" - this time in blue.

And, most importantly, do NOT light a firecracker in your hand. Even if you remember doing this as a child and you swear all the neighborhood kids did it. Second degree burns are no joke. Only light these on the ground.

Above is John right after he lit the packages of firecrackers in his hand. I was trying to get a picture of the awesomeness he promised was coming. Instead all we got was pain and a lesson learned. See his white fingers in the picture - that burn was painful but is healing quite nicely.

Ohio!

Over the 4th we went to Ohio to see my extended family.
Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, moms, dads, grandchildren, Grannys, Grandads and even a great - Granny were all present and accounted for (under one roof!).
We had a great time playing games, eating Esther Price, going to the Ashland and Wooster Root Beer Stand (best coneys ever), going to Lake Erie, and even shot off some fireworks (which everyone enjoyed except John - more to come on that later).

The sunset on Lake Erie. Of all the sunsets I have seen- this is by far my favorite.

Kids being silly at Rocky River Park.